Like A Local : Tropical North Queensland

Like a Local. Five girls explore the trails and beaches of Tropical North Queensland away from the tourist traps.

Words: Tokyo Swim Team Photos: Melissa Popov and Wade Lewis

Four women from Cairns, Australia, take a visitor on a journey to and through their favourite mountain bike trails in Tropical North Queensland: Smithfield Mountain Bike Park, home of the 2017 mountain bike world championships, Atherton, where they go for a day trip or a weekend away, Davies Creek, where there’s sunshine almost every day of the year, and a short, jungly pedal to the spectacular Windin Falls.

Beyond biking, these riders share their enjoyment of the food, leisure and lifestyle opportunities nearby. A quick swim at the top of a waterfall, a palm tree trunk climb challenge, a search for sea turtles and some time out to offer their thoughts on why they’re proud to call the region home.

“You know when people travel and everyone tells them the tourist things to do? When mountain bikers travel, they want to know what the locals do. So we decided to make a film about that.” – Tokyo Swim Team